Open Schools Worldwide/TeachBeyond.

This past March, we were able to finally complete a project in Livingstone, Zambia, that had been planned since before the pandemic. In just four days, with the help of a five-person team from a church in Virginia, USA (two men and three women), and some local people, we managed to build two shelters and complete three double toilet structures at several of the Open Schools Worldwide project locations there.

The local government had threatened to shut down the Open Schools projects due to lack of sanitary facilities for the hundreds of children being served. In addition, the lack of roof structures severely compromised the ability to instruct students because of the lack of protection from rain and sun.

The build week was a huge blessing in multiple ways. It not only served hundreds of children who were learning in the dirt under the hot sun, the local helpers were also clearly impressed with the testimony of foreign strangers sacrificially helping their community. As well, the American volunteers gained a totally new attitude and appreciation through what they experienced of poverty and the local standard of living. A local church was also greatly helped, as they will be able to share the use of one of these shelters (now with toilet facilities) as their meeting place.

One of our local tutors, who has been instructing the children at that Open Schools project for seven years, told us, “This is the best day of my life!”

All in all, it was an amazing week that God enabled and blessed and will support the building of his kingdom for many years to come!